Strip-metal-finishing machine



April 30, 1929, J. R. NlKoLAls STRIP METAL FINISHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet April 30, 1929. J. R. NlKoLAls 1,710,941

` STRIP METAL FINISHNG MACHINE Filed Jan. 3, 1927 .4 Sheets-Sheet l Imnnulnn @www #Eta vJ. R. NIKOLAIS STRIP META'L FINISHING MACHINE April 30, 1929.

April 3o, 1929.

J. R. NIKOLAIS STRIP METAL FINISHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 5, 19,27-

Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES i 1,710,941 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN n. NIKOLAIS, or BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT, AssIGNOR TO THE WALLACEBARNES vCO., or BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION. c

STRIP-METAIl-FINISHING' VISEACHIIil'E.-

Application filed January 3, 1927. Serial No. 158,618.

This invention relates to an improvement in strip-metal :finishing machines of the class generally known as filing machines and which are designed to inish the edges of strip metal,` such as cloclcsprings, and the like.

The object of this invention is to provide an efficient machine of the class described` oonstructed With particular reference to superior accuracy and sensitiveness of performance in use.

llVith this obj ect in view, my invention consiste in a strip-metal finishing machine characterized by its provision With a plurality otf sellaligning tile-holders disposed at diliierent angles with respect to the strip of metalv and With respect to other holders of like character. By the use of the term tile, I Wish to have it understood as including all iinishing tools oit similar abrasive nature, such as stone, and the like.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end vievv of a strip-metal iinishing machine constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fi 2 is a view thereof in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a top or plan view thereof;

Fig. i is a transverse sectional view, on a larger scale, taken on the line 4-4 oi Fig. 3 5

Fig. is a broken detail plan view or' one ot the tile-holding units, together with a portion oi' one ot' the cross-heads;

Fig. 6 is a detached perspective view of one ot the cylindrical tool-holders;

Fig. 7 is a broken plan view of a modified :torni ot toolsholder unitas mounted upon one ot the cross-heads;

Fig. 8 is an end view thereof.;

Fig. 9 is a vieiv corresponding to Fig. 7 but showing another modified form which the tool-holder unit may assume; and

Fig. 10 an edge view thereof. y

In carrying out my invention, as herein shown, I employ arstationary cross-head 11 and a movable cross-head 11, each ot' which is provided with tivo sleeve-like bearings 12 through which transverse tie-rods 13 pass. These tie-rods `iust mentioned extend from side to side of the machine and are mounted at their ends in the side-pieces 14 of the machine-trame l5. l n

The cross-head 11 is held stationary 0n the tie-rods 123 with capacity for adjustment by means of set-screws 16, vvhile the crosshead 11a` has sliding movement on the said tie-rods toward and away `from the sheet.- nietal strip 17 for the purpose as `will herematter appear.l To effect this movement, the outer face of the crossfhead l1? isprovided with two bosses 18, to` each `of which is pivoted the inner endxof a link 19, the outer end of `thesaid link being pivoted to the bifurcated upper end kof an arm 2O secured-,to a rock-shaft 21, which latter has bearing at its opposite ends in'theemachineframe andmisl provided at-one end with a hand-lever`22 by o' means of which the cross-,head 1l? may be moved toward and away from the'stripfl?.

To securely hold lthe cross-head 111a against outward displacement, I- provide theV handlever 22 with a paWl `Shiro-acting Withn tooth-sector 24. i l Y y Each, oi the cross-heads mounts a `battery oi cylindrical, self-aligning tool-holders 25, each carrying a file26 Orothersuitable abrasive tool. Each of the said tool-holders is formed with a flanged head 27 and is mount# ed for limited rotary movement about an axis which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the sheetmetal strip 1T and substantially parallel with the Cutting-face of its file 26, in two arms 28 ot' a tool-holder head 29 provided with arodeud of the shank 300i each tool-holder head istormed Witha threaded bore Safor theA reception of the threaded inner end of an adjusting-screw 36.1 provided with a knurlcd` head 37 and encircled by a spring 38 and having bearing at its outer end in a. longi` tudinal plate 39, one of which is mounted upon each of theirespective cross-heads by means of Z-shaped brackets 40. The spring 3S bears at its outer end Aagainst a centeringwasher 41 and at its inner end against a spring-adjusting nut 42 mounted upon the threaded portionfof theadjusting-screw 36` aforesaid and exerts ,a constant effort to move the tile 26 against the edgeof the` strip 17.

The knurled head 37 of the adjusting-screw 36, by its engagement with the outer fjace of the longitudinal plate 39, serves to limit the inward movement of the tool-holder head 29 under the urge of the spring 38 and hence correspondingly limit the movement of the file 26.

It will be noted from the drawings that the tool-holder heads are arranged in groups in which the arms 28 of the tool-carrying heads are arranged at different angles from the corresponding arms in adjacent groups with the result that the liles are disposed on opposite sides and at different angles with reference to the edges of the strip 17, which is drawn, by the usual means (not shown), longitudinally through the machine so as to be successively acted upon by the various files or other abrasive tools. This results in virtually rounding off the edges of the strip, though upon very close examination it will be found that the edges of the strip are really formed with a plurality of narrow faces disposed at different angles, but the general effect is one of roundness.

Each tool-holder is secured in place in its respective toolholder head 29 by a collar 4:3 encircling! its end opposite from the head 27 and provided with a longitudinal passage 44 for the reception of a file 26 which is held in place therein by means of a set-screw 45 engaging one of its faces and forcing the edges of its opposite face against two corresponding ciamping-shoulders 46, as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

The cylindrical tool-holder 25 has capacity for slight rotary movement in the arms 28 of its respective tool-holder head 29 in a plane substantially parallel with the path of travel of the sheet-metal strip 17, so that under the pressure of the spring 38, the face of the file carried by it will beautomatically maintained in alignment with the edge of the strip, so as to bring the full width of its cutting-surface into effective action. The rotary movement just described, which takes place about an axis substantially perpendicular to the strip 17, limited by providing the head 27 of each toolholdcr with a radially-projecting pin 47 enteringl a notch 48 formed in the tool-holder head 29.

In the modified form of my invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the toolsholder 49 carries an abrasive stone 50 and possesses the characteristic, selfailiirning feature of my invention by being pivoted, by means of a pin 51, to a yolnelike head 52carricd at the outer end of a springaxriu 53 secured to one or the other of the crossheads 11 or ll.:L

ln Figs. l) and 1li of the drawiuns` I have shown another method of mounting the toolholder 49 audits yoke-like head 52. In this instance, the head 52 is mounted at the outer end of a pivotal-arm 54. swinging upon a stud 55 in one or the other of the cross-heads 11 or 11". To normally urge the tool-holder 49 toward. t-he edge of the strip 17, the arm 5st has pivoted to it a short rod 56 bearing at its outer end in a chambcred adj ustingscrew 57 ancL encircled by a spring 58, the tension of which adjustable by means of the adjust ing-screw 57 aforesaid.

in each of the several forms of my invention herein shown and described, the toolholder is characterized by being mounted for oscillation about an axis which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the sheet-metal strip 17 and subs-stautially parallel with the cuttingface of the file 26.

From the foregoing it will be seen that as the strip 17 is drawn through the machine and weaves its way between the various differentially-inclined abrasive tools, the full width of the cutting-face of each of the said tools will be automatically naiintained in contact with the strip by the respective springs 38, 53 and 58, so that not only is the cutting action very rapid but it is very clean and even, owingto the fact that chattering is avoided.

I claim:

l.. A strip-metal finishing machine, coin.- prising a plurality of self-aligning tool-hold ers disposed at different angles with respect to each other and with respect to the edge of the strip metal to be finished; abrasive tools carried by said tool-holders; and means for supporting the said tool-holders with ca pad ity foroscillation independently of each other about an axis which is substantially pcrpeir dicular to the path of travel ofthe strip metal and .substantially parallel with the cuttingfaces of their respective tools; whereby the full cutting-width of the said tools may be automatically maintained in engagement with the strip metal.

2. A strip-metal finishingr machine, coluprising a lillurality of self-aligningy tool-holders disposed at different` angles with respect to each other and with respect to the edge of the strip metal to be finished; abrasive tools carried by said tool-holders5 and springpressed means for supportin i,r the said loolholders with capacity for oscillation indi pendcntly of each other about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the path of trarelof the strip metal and substantially parallel with the cuttin, -faces of their rfispective tools; vlhercby the full cutting\vidth of the said tools .is autinnatically maintained in engagement with the rip metal.

3. A strip-metal linishing machine, comprising a plurality of self-aligning tool-holders disposed at different angles with respect to each other and 1with respect to the edge of the strip metal to be finished.; abrasive tools carried by said tool-holders; and individually-adjustable spring-pressed means for supporting the said tool-holders with capacity for oscillation independent-ly of each other about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the strip metal and substantially parallel with the cuttinglill] lll) lili) ILO faces of their respective tools; whereby the full cutting-width 4of the said tools isl automatic-ally maintained in engagement with the strip metal.

LA strip-metal finishingmachine, con prising a plurality of substantially-cylindrical self-aligning tool-holders; abrasive tools mounted in said tool-holders; toolholder heads for supporting the said toolholders at different angles with respect to each other and With respect to the strip metal to be finished, and each having a cylindrical bore for the reception of one of the said toolholders and the axis of which is disposed sublstantially perpendicularto the path of travel of the strip metaland substantially parallel with the cuttingataces of the respective abrasive tools; whereby each ofthe said tool-hold ers and abrasive tools has capacity for osciln lation, so that. the iull cutting-width of each of the said tools may be automatically maintained in engagement with the strip metal.

5. A strip-metal linishing machine, comprising a plurality of substant-ially-cylindri cal self-aligning tool-holders, each provided with a longitudinal passage for the reception ot an abrasive tool; an abrasive tool mounted in each ot the said longitudinal passages; tool-holder heads for supporting the said tool-holders at different angles with respect to eachother and with respect to the strip metal to be finished, and each having a cylindrical bore for the reception of one of the said tool-holders and the axis of which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the strip metal and substantially parallel with the respective abrasive tools; whereby each of the said toolholders and abrasive tools has capacity for oscillation, so that the full cutting-Width of each or' the said tools may be automatically maintained in engagement with the strip metal.

G. A stripmetal finishing machine, comprising a plurality of seltaligning tool-holders; abrasive tools mounted in the said toolholders; reciprocable tool-holder heads for .supporting the said tool-holders at diHerent angles with respect to each other and with capacity for oscillation about an axis which is sul'istantially perpendicular to the path of travel oit the strip metal to be linished and substantially parallel with the cutting-face of the respective abrasive tools; a shank formed upon each of the said tool-holder heads; and a guide formed with a bearing for the said shanlr and provided with means for preventing its rotation in the said bearing; whereby the full cutting-Width of the said tools may be automatically maintained in engagement with the strip metal.

7. A strip-metal finishing machine, comprising a plurality of seltaligning tool-holders; abrasive tools mounted in the said toolholders; reciprocable tool-holder heads for supporting the said tool-holders at different angles with respect Ito each other and `with capacity fork oscillation about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the strip metal to `be inishedand substantially parallel with the cutting-face of the said abrasive tool; a shank formed upon each of the said tool-holder heads; la

spring for .normally urgingcachof the said tool-holder heads towardethe strip metal; an

adjusting-screw for limiting the urge ofthe `sai-id spring; and a uide formed with a'bearing :tor the said s ank and .providedwith i means for preventing its rotation inthe saidY bearing; whereby Vthe full vcutting-Width' of the said tools is automatically maintainedin engagement with the strip metal.

8. Ais'trip-Inetal nishing machine, com`` prising a plurality ofself-ahgning tool-hold ers; abrasive tools mounted inthe said tool'- holders; reciprocable tool-holder heads/for supporting the saiditool'holders at different angles with respect to each other and With capacity for oscillation about an axis which is substantially perpendicular-tto the path of travel of the strip metal to be finished and substantially parallel with the cutting-face of the said abrasive tool; a shank formed -upon each of the said tool-holder heads; and a. guide formed with a bearing for the said shankand with a bifurcated headlfor embracing one of the said tool-holders and preventingits rotation in the said bearing l; whereby thefull eutting-Width of the said Atools `may be auto'- matically maintained in engagement with the strip metal. l Y a 9. A strip-metal tinishing machine,l comroo prising a plurality of self-aligning toolhold i ers; abrasive tools mounted the said toolhoiders; reciprocable tool-holder heads for supporting the said tool-holders at different angles with respect to each other and with capacity for oscillation about an axis which is substantially perpendicularto the path of travel of the strip metalto be finished and substantially parallel with the lcuttinggg-face of the said abrasive tool; a shank formed i upon each of the said tool-holder heads; a threaded bore formed inl thesaid shank; a spring for normally urging each of the said tooleholder heads toward t-he strip metal;

and an adjusting-screw (3o-acting with the threaded bore of the said shank for limiting the urge o'r' the said spring; whereby they full cutting-Width of the said tools is Vautomati?` cally maintained, 1n engagement vvlththe strip metal.

'10. A strip-metal finishing machine, comr I i prising a plurality of self-aligning tool-holdu ers; abrasive tools mounted in the saidtoolholders; reciprocablertoolholder heads for i supporting the said tool-holders at diferent angles With respect'to each other and with capacity for oscillation about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the path'of travel of the strip metal to be tinished and substantially `parallel with the cutting-face of the said abrasive tool; `a shank formed upon each of the said tool-holder heads; a

'maintained in engagement with the strip metal.

11. A strip-metal finishing machine, comprising a plurality of self-aligning tool-holders ;V abrasive tools mounted in the said toolliolders; reciprocable tool,-ho1der heads for supporting the said tool-holders at different angles with respect to each other and with capacity for oscillation about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the strip metal to be finished and substantially parallel With the cutting-tace of the said abrasive tool; a shank formed upon each ot the said tool-holder heads; a threaded bore formed in the said shank; an adjusting-screw co-acting with the said threaded bore; a spring encircling the said adjusting-screw for normally urging each ofthe said tool-holder heads toward the strip metal; and a guide formed with a bearingr for the saidshank and provided with means for preventing its rotation in the said bearing; whereby the full cutting-Width of the said tools is automatically maintained in engage` nient with the strip metal.

l2. A strip-metal finishing machina comprising' a plurality of self-aligning' tool-holders; abrasive tools mounted in the said toolholders; rcciprocable tool-holder heads for supporting the said tool-liolders at ditierent angles with respect t-o each otlie and With crpacity for oscillation about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the path ot travel of the strip metal to be iinished and substantially parallel With the cutting-fa|3e of the said abrasive tool; a shank formed upon each ot the said tootholdcr heads; a threaded bore formedin the said shank; an adjusting-screw cti-acting with the said threaded bore; a. spring encircling the said adjusting-screw for normally urgingr cach of the said tool-holder heads toward the strip metal; a spring adjustingmut threaded upon said adjusting-screw for regulating the tension of the said spring; and a guide 'Formed with a bearing for the said shank and provided with means for preventing its rotation inthe said bearing; whereby the full cutting- Width of the said tools is automatically maintained in engagement with the strip metal.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specilication.

JOHN R. NIKOLAIS. 

